NEW DELHI: The annual ‘Nautapa’ period — traditionally associated with the fiercest phase of the Indian summer — has begun with large parts of north and central India already sweltering under severe heatwave conditions. Temperatures soared past 45°C in several regions as meteorologists warned that the scorching spell is likely to persist for the next few days. In Madhya Pradesh, Naogaon and Khajuraho touched nearly 46°C, while Bhopal remained under a yellow alert amid forecasts of continued extreme heat.What is Nautapa?Nautapa is a traditional nine-day weather phase in north India that usually begins in late May when the sun enters the Rohini Nakshatra. Derived from the words ‘Nau’ (nine) and ‘tapa’ (heat), the term has long been associated with the year’s harshest summer conditions and is believed to influence the intensity and arrival of the monsoon.Scientists explain that this period coincides with extreme heating over northwest India, which helps create a strong low-pressure zone over the plains. This low pressure later draws moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal inland, eventually aiding monsoon rainfall across the subcontinent.Meteorologists say that while the heat can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable groups and outdoor workers, it also plays a critical role in India’s seasonal climate cycle, agriculture and ecosystems.Madhya Pradesh braces for ‘Nautapa’ furnaceMadhya Pradesh is expected to witness worsening heatwave conditions during the Nautapa period, with Naogaon and Khajuraho recording temperatures close to 46°C on Sunday.While Bhopal remained under a yellow alert for heatwave conditions, warnings were issued for 44 out of the state’s 55 districts. The Met department said there was little possibility of relief over the next five days.The weather department said an upper air cyclonic circulation over south Bihar and neighbouring regions continued to persist. A north-south trough extending from south Bihar to north coastal Andhra Pradesh across Jharkhand was also active up to 1.5 km above mean sea level.Meteorologists added that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from May 28.Bhopal recorded a maximum temperature of 42.7°C on Sunday, which was two degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 29.2°C, also above average. Naogaon and Khajuraho both recorded 45.8°C.The weather office forecast clear skies for Bhopal on Monday, with temperatures expected to remain around 43°C during the day and 29°C at night.A red alert warning for severe heatwave conditions was issued for Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Satna and Panna districts.Orange alerts remained in place for districts including Rajgarh, Agar, Datia, Bhind, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Umaria, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Damoh, Sagar and Maihar.Yellow alerts were issued for Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Ujjain, Shajapur, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Morena, Sheopur, Anuppur, Shahdol and Dindori districts.Delhi continues to swelterDelhi also experienced isolated heatwave conditions on Sunday, with maximum temperatures remaining above 43°C in several parts of the city.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said light rain and gusty winds may occur on Monday afternoon and evening, although the brief spell is unlikely to provide major relief from the scorching conditions.By Sunday evening, some parts of the capital witnessed dust intrusion travelling from Pakistan through Rajasthan and Haryana. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which remained in the poor category during the afternoon at 205, improved to moderate levels by late night.According to IMD, the city may witness partly cloudy skies, accompanied by strong winds of 20-30 kmph with gusts touching 40 kmph.The department also forecast light rain with thunderstorms, lightning, dust storms and surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph, occasionally touching 60 kmph.Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6°C, while Lodhi Road registered 43.8°C, Palam 43.7°C, Ridge and Ayanagar 44.6°C and Mungeshpur 44.5°C.The Met department has issued a yellow alert for heatwave and thunderstorm activity on Monday. Temperatures are likely to remain between 43°C and 45°C until Wednesday before a possible fall later in the week due to rainfall activity.“The western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation over Jammu & neighbourhood at 3.1 km above the mean sea level persists. A fresh western disturbance likely to affect northwest India from May 28…. Rise in maximum temperatures by 1-2°C during the next 24 hours, no large change till May 27, and fall by 6-8°C thereafter,” the Met said.Rajasthan faces intensifying heatwaveRajasthan is also bracing for intensified heatwave conditions, with several districts likely to record temperatures above 45°C in the coming days.Sri Ganganagar remained the hottest place in the state at 46°C on Sunday, while Jaipur recorded 43.6°C, which was 2.4 degrees above normal.The Met office said Jaipur may touch nearly 45°C for the first time this season on Monday.Hospitals across Rajasthan have reported increasing cases of dehydration, fatigue, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.Cooling Gadgets Become Summer EssentialsAs temperatures continue to rise, portable cooling gadgets are witnessing a surge in demand in several cities.Wearable neck fans, handheld mini fans, cooling towels and chilled skincare products are becoming increasingly popular among commuters, bikers, delivery workers and youngsters.“The weather feels worse when you are stuck on congested roads with no shade. A small gadget makes a big difference,” said Amaan Khan, a resident of Balaganj.Retailers said sales of cooling devices have risen sharply this season.“We have witnessed nearly a 40%-50% rise in sales. Earlier, we sold around 100 products a week, now it is 140-150. Prices range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000,” said Deepak Mishra, owner of Cable House in Naka.Heat stress deepens in Hyderabad’s informal settlementsExtreme summer temperatures are also severely affecting residents living in Hyderabad’s urban slums and informal settlements.A survey conducted by Helping Hand Foundation across 15-20 low-income settlements covered more than 1,000 respondents, most of them migrant labourers living in areas including Kalapathar, Shaheen Nagar, Hasan Nagar, Pahadi Shareef, Jalpally, Kishanbagh and Chintalmet.Telangana has reported heatwave conditions across all 33 districts, with temperatures regularly crossing 43°C to 45°C.The survey found rising cases of sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional stress, reduced productivity and wage losses linked to prolonged heat exposure during April and May.More than 80% of respondents said hot nights were affecting their sleep and leaving them exhausted during the day.Mujtaba Hasan Askari from HHF said, “Informal workers, who make up nearly 90% of the workforce, bear the highest burden of heat exposure while also suffering the greatest income losses. The govt’s heat action plan should address housing, workplace safety and community infrastructure in urban settlements.”Ahmedabad continues to record high night temperaturesAhmedabad recorded a maximum temperature of 42.2°C on Sunday, slightly above normal, while the minimum temperature remained elevated at 29.6°C.Health experts said the city’s infrastructure and concrete structures continue to release heat after sunset, worsening heat stress even at night.“Along with high maximum temperatures, the heat stress also comes from the fact that minimum temperatures do not drop significantly. In a city like Ahmedabad, heat radiated from buildings and infrastructure keeps temperatures elevated.Thus, even before buildings and roads cool during the night, a new heat cycle begins,” said a city-based public health expert.“It is therefore not uncommon to see patients with heat stress even after sundown. Symptoms include stomachache, muscle pain, headache and fatigue, among others.”Tamil Nadu schools seek delay in reopening due to heatwave Amid persistent heatwave conditions, school associations and education activists in Tamil Nadu have requested the postponement of school reopening dates.Under the current schedule, schools are set to reopen on June 1 for Classes IV-XII and on June 4 for Classes I-III.“As the impact of summer heat is extremely severe in TN and a heatwave is prevailing, there is a possibility of discomfort and health issues for students. To avoid such incidents, it is prudent to push the reopening dates by one week,” said M Arumugam, president, Federation of Private Schools Association.Hundreds of bats found dead in Chhattisgarh heatwaveIn Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, hundreds of bats were found dead near Naukonia pond as temperatures crossed 45°C under severe heatwave conditions.Residents said they saw bats hanging motionless from trees while carcasses continued falling throughout the day.Forest officials suspect heat stress may have caused the deaths of nearly 200 bats.Katghora divisional forest officer Kumar Nishant said veterinary teams had collected samples to determine the exact cause.“Veterinary teams have collected samples from the carcasses to ascertain the exact cause of death. Initial observations suggest the bats could not withstand the intense heat conditions,” the DFO said.Veterinary experts explained that bats maintain body temperatures around 38°C and begin experiencing severe distress when atmospheric temperatures cross 40°C.
